The Journey & Supporting Work – Journey Of A Troubled Mind

The video below shows my supporting work and panoramic in situ at Gorleson On Sea in Norfolk (via YouTube). The video begins with the work from 2023, and from 2024 from 1:00:

The video below shows the complete panorama exhibited at Gorleston on Sea in October 2024, showing the essence of walking alongside it, as I did along the Norfolk coastal path when researching the work. The first 1:40 of the footage is from work dated 2023, with the rest being the final section of the Norfolk Coastal Walk 70m, dated 2024. I have added a ‘muffled’ effect (captured whilst on my walk) to indicate the transition of panoramic work time frame:

Below shows images of my walk, recorded on Strava GPS – notice the orange route line – which is echoed within my walk. Also, a map of the coastal path, courtesy of Norfolk Trails, and photographs taken of during the walk.

My coastal walk was recorded on ‘Strava’ – another reason for using the key colour orange within my panoramic, along with carr stone, rust, signage, stones, brick, wire, buoys and fishing line, in 2022.

Me during the Norfolk Coastal Walk, which inspired my panoramic drawing, in 2022.

Me during the Norfolk Coastal Walk, the action research inspired my panoramic drawing, 2022.

My chart shows metaphors between coastal erosion and mental health illnesses. This could
potentially be a way of helping patients draw how they feel without the difficulties of drawing themselves or the anatomy of the body.

The images below are from my panoramas, and supporting workpieces during 2023:

Preparing for my first-ever private exhibition in 2023 at The Undercroft in Norwich.

A general view of my private exhibition in 2023 at The Undercroft in Norwich.

A general view of my private exhibition in 2023 at The Undercroft in Norwich – my artist’s impression.

A panorama section of ‘Journey of a Troubled Mind’ from 2023. (≈ 1m x 4m)

…And some panorama imagery from more recent work in 2024, where I completed the panorama as the whole walk of the Norfolk Coast Path from an anxious mind:

A panorama section of ‘Journey of a Troubled Mind’ from 2024. (≈ 1m x 4m)

A lot of research and planning was needed for the Norfolk Coastal Path walk and recording of it. Below is how I tried to capture all the information to share.

The sound of bird calls along the Norfolk Coastal Path was constant. This long thin panorama made in 2024 shows the various bird calls as sound graphs I recorded from the Norfolk Coastal Path. It’s like a ‘sky’ version of my work.

My sound graph collection of bird calls during my coastal walk features heavily in the skies of my panoramic, 2024. Drawing them onto the work was the best way to give them the visual presence they deserved. 2024.

Below is one of my sound graphs as a close-up, and also some work showing how I responded to them within my panorama work, in 2024:

A section of my panoramic shows some of the bird sound graphs in the skies, in 2024.

A section of my panoramic shows some of the various bird soundgraphs in the skies, in 2024.

Below are some of my 3D and 2D work created in 2023, exploring the geographical areas and fragility of the cliffs along the coastal path.

Some experimental work looks at drawings and photographs in a 3D structure, in 2023.

Some experimental work looks at drawings and photographs, in 2023.

Some experimental work looks at drawings and photographs in a 3D structure, suspended to allow movement, in 2023.

Experimental work using the sea to show erosion, in 2023.

A section of my visual supporting work shows the geographical, historical and geological mappings and research of the Norfolk coastal path walk, using ink, pastel and charcoal (A2) in 2023.

A section from my concertina booklet of Hunstanton carr stone cliffs and shoreline during the coastal walk using homemade charcoal and various coastal stones (≈ 40cm x 100cm), in 2023.

A section of my visual supporting map of the Norfolk Coastal Path walk, using pastels (≈ 1m x 2m), in 2023.

The 3D work below, made in 2024, explores my beachcombing finds from the Norfolk Coastal Path with the idea of walking a GPS orange journey line (here as the found orange fishing line). I wanted to encourage the audience to feel/touch the finds, as I did when drawing their textures within my work, so I added this entwinded to the sea defenses alongside my panorama. The orange fishing wire is also a significant inspiration for the accent colour used in my panorama work.

My beach combings from the coastal walk, linked with the found orange fishing line, in 2024.

Some of my beachcombing finds were situated loosely at the base of my 2024 work during the exhibition in 2024.

Some of my beachcombing finds on the fishing line were situated on the sea defences by my 2024 panorama work during the exhibition, in 2024.

Much of 2024 was taken up with planning, testing, researching, promoting and undertaking my one-day, pop-up exhibition on one of the Norfolk Coastal Path beaches. Below is some imagery around this:

My ideas around exhibiting my work and sharing the beach finds in situ, 2024.

A test run proved that my display idea wasn’t strong enough against the coastal winds, so I decided to use the strong natural surroundings already available – such as the huge stretch of wooden sea defences. 2024.

One of many promotional social media posts, showing my work from 2024, building up interest in my exhibition in 2024.

Finally, when the good weather came, the exhibition happened on October 27th 2024! This image shows a general view of a section of the beach and panorama (showing work from 2024), in situ.

During the exhibition I talked to people whom I had invited, but also lots of people who were simply just at the beach on that day and who wanted to know more about the work or share their own stories. The image shows my work from 2024, at the 2024 exhibition in situ.

A close-up of me talking to a member of the public. This illustrates how the panorama proved to be a huge soundboard for those who wanted to talk about their issues, and how the work related to their own experiences. Image from the 2024 exhibition in situ, showing panorama work from 2024.

Working conditions

Using my hands and fingers in this way allows me to feel the paper and give some embodiment and 1:1 rapture to the work. Every part of the panorama drawing is conceived by my feelings and emotions on the production day, hinged on humanising the landscape from my well-being coastal walks. It has become a visual diary for me, and I find it a hugely therapeutic experience. Physically working downwards onto the paper, towards the core of the earth, allows me to use gravity along with strength to get the darkest dark from my charcoal.

Sadly, I have no actual studio, despite the scale of my work. I make use of my small garden and only work on dry, light days – so seasonally, for this reason. Whilst this can be hugely restrictive, it is also a significant reality of life: reflecting our boundaries, realism, and being humble. Having to try and maintain urges, or find other ways of expressing myself when I can not be outside drwaing how I feel can be difficult but also something to learn to deal with. I tend to hibernate, recharge my batteries or research my work on days I can not get outside. On the plus side, when I do get to draw outside I totally enjoy and make the most of it!

This image shows me working directly with my hands using my homemade charcoals outside.
Image: 2024.

A quick ‘bubble of thought’ on my work, 2024.

A brief look at my feelings around my anxiety disorder, image 2023.

Results of my own led questionnaire in 2023.

A chart showing how the Norfolk Coastline makes me feel, 2023.

Cover for my supporting essay, regarding my panoramic work, in 2023.

Cover and contents pages for my supporting essay, regarding my panoramic work, in 2023.

Here are some short videos from 2023 showing some of my sketchbook work (via YouTube):

Lastly, here are some short videos of me working large scale outdoors, pre 2023 but relevant today, (via YouTube):